Food is often the first thing footy fans seek out when arriving at a stadium and the last thing they enjoy before heading home.
Whether it is a pre-game snack, a celebratory feast after a win, or a consolation meal following a loss, food plays a crucial role in shaping the overall football experience.
While people primarily come for the sport, fans now expect more than just a game. The food scene around an AFL stadium can make or break the experience. Pre-game bites or post-match meals aren’t just food-- they’re part of memories fans take home.
A new study has revealed the best AFL stadiums around the country for foodies. The study, conducted by the research team at restaurant marketing agency SEO for Restaurants, used Google Maps to analyse all the Australian Football League stadiums, considering factors such as the number of restaurants within a 15-minute walking radius of each venue, average ratings of all the restaurants in each stadium’s vicinity and the average meal prices.
Photo credit: 88 POCHA Korean Restaurant.
Here are the key findings:
•Norwood Oval in South Australia ranks as the best football stadium for foodies, with a score of 72.93. The area has 11.65 restaurants per 1000 fans within a 15-minute walk, an average restaurant rating of 4.36 out of 5 and an average price of $34.20. High-rated restaurants near the stadium include 88 POCHA Korean Restaurant and Cafetal Coffee Co.
•Adelaide Hills ranks second with a score of 68.77. The area has 20.60 restaurants per 1000 fans, with an average rating of 4.28 and an average price of $31.35. Well-known restaurants in the vicinity include Sushi Ito, which has a price range of $80-$200+.
•UTAS Stadium (York Park in Launceston) follows closely in third place with a score of 68.73. The area has 7.67 restaurants per 1000 fans, with an average rating of 4.24 and an average price of $25.24. Within 15 minutes, you can go to 5-star rated restaurants such as A1 Gobble N Go and Uncle Chicken.
•Out of all the stadiums, Adelaide Hills has the most number of restaurants, with 20.60 restaurants per 1000 fans within a 15-minute walk, while Norwood Oval has the most high-rated restaurants at 4.36 out of 5 and Mars Stadium (formerly Eureka Stadium in Ballarat) has restaurants nearby with the lowest average price of $22.54.
Here is the top 10 stadium list for AFL foodies:
Norwood Oval, Adelaide Hills, UTAS Stadium, Mars Stadium, GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park), People First Stadium (Heritage Bank Stadium), TIO Traeger Park, TIO Stadium, Ninja Stadium (Bellerive Oval) and the Gabba.
CEO of SEO for Restaurants, Andrea Abbondanza says:
"Great nearby restaurants can pull fans in early and keep the excitement going after the final whistle. As match days turn into full-day events, stadiums with good eateries nearby have an edge. These venues are more likely to see fans coming back, hungry for both the sport and the grub!”
